There are two perspectives to look at Indians. One from the eyes of an Indian and another from Western. According to western perspective an Indian is one who is uncultured, highly un-organized and illiterate.

According to me Indian is one who understands the Concept of “Adjustment, Accommodation and Customization.”

Examples –

Food influences the way people think. In west, Imagine people eat proper four course meal: first there is the soup, then the salad, then the main course and finally desert. Everything is controlled and sequential. Now imagine eating a traditional Indian Thali : Everything served simultaneously, the salad, the rice, the roti, the curries, the sweets, even the chutneys and Papad. The Western meal is served in a linear way while the Indian meal is served in a cyclical way. The Indian dishes are not eaten individually but have to be mixed, a practice that is uniquely Indian. So in Western cuisine, we taste what the cook serves but in Indian cuisine we taste our own mixture. This is the height of customization.

The “Masala Box” is a powerful tool to explain Adjustments and Accommodation. Every masala box had the same ingredients – but the proportions used by different cooks created different flavors. Bad food could be made good by adding another spice. Thus everything could be managed, with a little bit of creativity.

With readymade masala packets coming in, the tastes are getting increasingly standardized, a sign of what may be called Westernization.

According to Westerns, Indian Food habit is chaotic and since our food habits are chaotic so our others habits are also chaotic whether it is buying style, living, thinking or bargains. Westerns are organized because their food/eating habits are organized hence are other activities.

Since we are aware of India is a federation of states and is Multi Religious. Religion also plays and important roll on thinking. Christians have one God “Jesus”, Muslims have “Allah”, Sikhs of “Guru Granth Sahib” but an Hindu has lots have Gods and Demigods. For a Hindu there are lots of option of gods available according to their wants and needs.

Hence for an Indian Everything is all about “Adjustment, Accommodation and Customization.”

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God created the nature. We created the society (actually many) but with different values. Nature and society both are averse and always in constant conflict with each other. Polyandry is acceptable in nature whereas in society, it depends from one to another. Societies are curbed by ethics, laws whereas nature is not bound by any. Nature is Raw and society is made according to human behavior and requirements.

What was the need to create it? Who created it, certainly not gods. It was created by our ancestors and is been revising since its inception by us according to our different needs, comfort and behavior.Why this happens because, we evolve, from our survival instinct to socio-productive skills. It is the later skill which separates us from animals up to an extent because in nature there is only one truth- survive or die. The line between society and nature is very subtle. Without nature there is no society, hence they are byproduct of nature.

The prominent belief behind creating it is to make a shift from our animalistic behavior to something better because we are endowed with imagination, we can think of something better and create it. Animals are bound with their survival instinct whereas humans have the capacity to outgrow them and create a better world. A world free from food scarcity and violence, A world with enough food, love and equal opportunities for everyone. This led to the formation of society where we are living today and getting (some) benefit of it. Nature is very raw and cruel, every life has to compete against it only for mere survival from birth to death, and on the other hand, humans have the advantage, so that they can think of something above then survival and make the world a better place than today. In nature a wounded animal cannot expect mercy and compassion from hyenas but in society it is sought and expected from fellow humans.

The real question is, are we creating and maintaining what our forefathers imagined?

Law of Jungle

By seeing present situations, it makes me to question, because we are now creating and molding our societies based on cast, greed and hatred. They are no longer socio-productive, they have become animalistic. At a time of creation, our ancestors had a belief that every human would get equal opportunity.

Ask yourself –

1-Is it happening or we are going back to the age where only “might is right”?

2-Are we still the so called human society ?

P.S. – Thanks to “Indiblogger” for including me in your fraternity. It is a privilege!!

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(This is an edited version of previous post “Property and Territory.”)

There are two types of self which everyone has and displays, one is real and another is assumed. Most of us live in the later. Ones assumed self-comprises of ego and the things he possesses, which is called property. Property is a phenomenon which is only obvious in Human world thanks to our ability to imagine. This is an only ability which distinguishes us with animals; thanks to it we can imagine the worst scenario as well as prosperous and can prepare accordingly.

Since we are 99% animals, we also display territorial instincts and seek survival. Human have the notion of Property and animals territory due to lack of imagination, they display highly territorial behavior because if they do not, their survival is at stake. But when humans display the same for property, does it make them human or animal?

We see in the World of Animals that they can do anything to retain their territory; these kinds of acts are now visible in human’s society too, because our imagination is decaying and assumed survival instincts are growing, the kind of skills which Ravan used to possess. He coveted what Kuber has, what Ram has, He wanted everything what others have. In a way every living species in the world is seeking survival but it differs from one to another especially in humans, we do not know when our survival needs turn into property and gradually to greed. Territory is mortal so does property but due to our negligence we assume that it will outlive oneself. One’s name, achievements, goodness and generosity may outlive him but not property. It is a great delusion we have made and are building our social life around it; things like generosity, kindness, honesty and understanding are no more valued. Our measuring scale only measures others (~Ravan’s) property and respect’s them accordingly; isn’t it? What ram’s stands for has no more value.

We see in both Indian epics Ramayana and Mahabharata that property is at the heart of dispute. Kaikaiya’s desire to make her son king caused the exile of Rama whereas in Mahabharata Dhritrashtra’s excessive attachment to his sons caused turbulence for Pandavas. Kaikaiya was certain that if the potential candidate stays her son Bharat would not be crowned. Hence she demands his exile, But both Rama and Bharat were wise set of brothers unlike Ravan and Kuber, Ram easily accepted exile and Bharat rejected the crown because both of them knew that kingdom~Property has nothing to do with their real self. It may make difference to someone’s assumed self but they know “who they are, has nothing to do with what they possess or have.” Hence they were easily able to give it up.

In Mahabharata, we see that The kingdom of Hastinapur, which Kaurava’s were not willing to share even a point of needle with their cousins were ruthlessly eradicated by them. Kaurava’s were valuing themselves with the kingdom and according to their assumption if they share it, their value will decrease. They were in the assumed self, hence on the path of trouble. On the other hand we see that Pandavas who won the battle and kingdom easily give-up the kingdom because they know that real self is what they are not what they possess, hence they renounced everything materially and went on journey to achieve the ultimate.

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Compare to humans, animals are innocent, they do not take greater than their survival needs. And humans are ready to trespass any moral lesson to get the worldly object because of our assumptions that it will describe oneself best or provide eternal happiness. That’s why we now have innumerable clothing lines, beauty Parlors to make our external world more beautiful and validated + and increasing crime rate too. Don’t be unaccustomed of this fact, increasing crime rate is the derivative our own measuring scale. We are as much responsible for this as much as the doer. The only difference is that manmade law does not punish for this.

The reason is that we worship people who possess worldly objects such as BMW, Amrapali apartment, Arrow/Blackberry clothing lines and the ones who pay 10 times greater price for food, and eat with fork. These are the specific traits to become worshipable. It doesn’t matter how you got all this. Today we are better defined by what we have, not what one is. A car, bungalow, beautiful girlfriend, killer jeans better expresses who we are. People without these possessions are considered dehaitees/Pichhada Varg(to be precise).

I am Mr. X and I am also what I possess. Today we pay more attention to later which is the root cause of every problem we face today.

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The World welcomes the flamboyant Ravan, admires it, praise it, and acknowledge it, but what about MaryadapurushottamRam, Raghupati Ram, The God (with capital G) of millions of people around the world. He is just worshiped only to fulfill respective wishes of ours. Isn’t it?

Ravan is only despised in the epic but in real life he is the one, we really acclaim. We are the society which worships Maryadapurushottam Ram but praises the Lankapati Ravan. People of today’s age are the worshippers of Ram and the followers of Ravan.

Lankapati Ravan

Why are we so enchanted by Ravan? What does Ravan stand for? Contrary to general belief Ravan didn’t build the golden city of Lanka, it was built by his half-brother and treasurer of god’s wealth keeper Kuber, who he drove out from Lanka by force, and took over the kingdom of Lanka. He went around the world killing sages and raping women. Why? To establish his dominion – to generate fear. In other words to establish his monopoly. He tries to monopolize outer things as he is insecure from inside. He needs constant validation from the outer world, “The World”. So does most of the people nowadays. We burn his effigy every year but retain his methods, isn’t it?

Whereas Ram is content from inside he doesn’t require any validation from “The World”. That’s why he is worshiped and Ravan is not, who was the richest person in that time, even the poorest person during his reign used to eat in plates of gold, but in spite of this epic rejected him. The wisdom of epic doesn’t value someone’s possession, wealth but it values the righteous conduct and love. That’s why Ram happily accepted Shabari’s Ber, whereas Laxman became angry at her for offering his elderly brother refused Ber. Ram understands her world which is full of love, which Laxman couldn’t.

Raghupati Ram

Ram, by comparison, seems boring – a rule-upholder who never does anything spontaneous or dramatic. He always does the right thing, whether he likes it or not, and does not seem like much fun. Whereas the Ravan is the exciting character, he takes what he wants either by invoking any god or by strength. Ravan lives only for himself. His pleasure matters him the most, so does most of us. Everyone wants from “The World” to fill their inner vacuum by asking or by deceit. They live in the illusion that one day it will fill and they would be satisfied. But no one thinks that Ravan’s tendency (which is most of the people’s) from taking forcefully from this world made him the object of divine wrath. He kidnapped Sita to place himself in the heart of faithful women by showing her, his material opulence’s and sexual prowess. But his tendency made him the object of divine wrath.

It’s interesting, why Lord Ram is called “Maryadapurushottam” instead “Ayodhya Naresh” and Ravan “Lankapati”. Both words are very significant. Ravan belongs to a place called Lanka. Whereas Ram does not belong to any place, metaphysically. He is Maryadapurushottam, who has conquered and constrained the self. He doesn’t need any material opulence for his validation. Whereas Ravan belongs to a place called Lanka, where he is worshiped and respected. But outside Lanka he has no value; he is only a mere Rakshas like others. If we carefully observe Ravan, he behaved like a dog, because it is dog that makes territory in human world and follows ”Jangle Raj.”

We feed dogs by making different dishes and buying pedigree for them, but for the innocent, milk giving cow , we feed her with leftovers. It implies that we are dog’s society, where we love people who accept our dominion and condemns those who don’t.

Ultimately, we burn the effigy of Ravan and practice his methods, Worship Lord Ram’s statue and condemn those who follow the path which was led by him; Aren’t we?

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Mahabharata is always been a curious topic of interest for me. Even its opening verse can mesmerize anyone – “What is here, is found elsewhere; what is not here, is nowhere?”

Strange… isn’t it? But it is still true, despite being written after five thousand years..!!

The Mahabharata war took place in Dwapar Yuga in Kuru clan over the throne of Hastinapur Kingdom. Although there were many other reasons responsible for the war but throne was the vital one. The family divided between two groups namely Pandavas and Kauravs and the series of War, politics followed. You can always take help of “Google Bhai” to read the story line. 🙂

It was a greatest war war which teaches us many moral lessons. And I feel that we Indians are blessed that we have so rich cultural history. I remember those Sunday mornings by waking up hearing its background score, so I guess many of you. I have found its background score you can revisit it here. ()

I have observed some points of it and I want to share it with you.

Arjuna – I guess most of you know who is. He was the greatest archer, Student of Dronachayra and intimate friend and devotee of Lord Krsna.

We have seen many people name after him but not on his brothers; why? If we compare him to his elder brother Yudhishthara he was nothing. But despite this we love him. Remember it was Dharma raj Yudhishtharas chariot which used to ride slightly above the ground. But still we don’t portray him in real life. So it makes me raise some questions.

:: Why nobody does name their children’s after Yudhishtara, Bhishma, Sehdev? They are also the protagonist of the epic. Then why we have not done justice with them by naming our children after them? In nation, like us where naming places/children’s after any famous cricketer, actor, Historical figure is common phenomenon, seems strange and unjust; isn’t it?

The psychology behind this idea is to recall that specific characteristic, idea and quality that person possessed. So that it shall remain in our memory and influence our actions. If you agree with this, it implies that we don’t value truthfulness and righteous conduct that Lord Ram and Yudhishthara possessed. And thus it makes us hypocrites..!! (Read “Worshippers of Ram, Followers of Ravan” post)

But same people are okay to name after Arjuna? The question is WHY? If we compare Arjuna to his elder brother Yudhishthara (who happens to be the epitome of truthfulness, grace etc. looks a cheater, deceiver in comparison.) was a deceiver.

Does that mean we choose lie above truth? If your answer is no, then why nobody is named after him Yudhishter? Who is the greatest example of it?

Are we not the rational beings*? Yes, we are but when it comes to choose between the Pandavas brothers, I guess everyone’s universal choice is Arjuna only.

Now a days People just pretend to be truthful until they get power and loopholes in the system to commit the evil acts (no example can par with our ex- telecom minister A. Raja, His scam is so huge that he can even purchase some African countries from that money).

{To be continued……}

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[*Plato thought ,it was impossible for rational beings to do wrong knowingly, But Aristotle disagreed, and he felt that Plato’s view contradicted the observed facts about ordinary human beings. He believed that a person may have the knowledge but may not use it. Indian thinkers seem to have shared Aristotle practical view. They believed that ‘people do, in fact, act against their moral conviction and this is an unhappy fact about us.’- Source Wikipedia]

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Quite of you must be wondering that stealing is always been a crime since inception of human society then why I am questioning it?

I am doing so Bcoz—

In ancient times when someone tried to steal tiger’s food or any animal’s prey he was eventually punished by that animal. The usual punishment was getting killed by the animal or the stealer eventually becomes their food starter…But that was THE ANCIENT (UNCIVILIZED) TIME!

Now we are in Nayaa Jamana (Modern Time)…Junglee animals are on the verge of extinction (to be specific -due to decimation) and some of them are kept in Zoo’s or national parks for amusement of newer generations. But it seems their behavior is still kept in practice by fellow humans (or may be… by us??).

I have read many times in newspaper or saw in National television that how mob dealt out merciless justice on the streets, in full public view. Their excuse is that they steal things and are harming or creating imbalance in our society. So they will punish (kill) them to set an example for rest of others.

I am not justifying thefts but people should take humanitarian perspective before taking any step. Although I know that we are not the usual offenders(to beat mercilessly) and this sort of action would keep go on unless the daily wagers (people who are at the bottom of society) are taught to behave(law)!!

What is it that makes perfectly normal people who have just woken up in the morning suddenly get together and kill a person suspected of having committed a minor theft? It is their anger which makes them; isn’t it? Daily wagers are majority in aam public of Indian society and are the most ignored. They are full of anger towards the sarkaar, policymakers, bhrasht netas or for other reasons. And for them the suspect becomes a mere object of releasing their anger and for others….It’s just fun (remember scene from Golmaal-3).

They punish kamjor aadmi with no constitutional rights and when it comes to big people their answer is…….”Ye to sarkaar ka kaam hai, ham kya kar sakte hain!!!”*

Moral of the story- Only the poor in India are punished for theft. And the punishment they get is swift and brutal.
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.*Which is also a universal Indian answer .

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It was a kind of uncanny experience I encountered some days ago which I want to share with you guys i.e. netizens. It happened with me in exam room where I am usually the last person to enter.

The Exam was of PP (Not what you think: p). I didn’t study for it (yeh, it’s too boring related to workshop procedure). It’s a fucking theory subject where University tests that how much pages a student can fill regardless quality of content.

I am good in writing precisely point to point but not good at what university wants to see in those answer books. Sometimes I feel that I am studying “HOW-MUCH-FUCK-CAN-YOU-WRITE” Course. Some of you guys might feel the way I do (If yes, please let me know that).

Oh sorry guys, it seems I am deviated from the subject, so I was talking about the helpless principal; right!
I want to confess something – I really do not know whether The Man I am talking about is really the principle or what.” You can curse me for my lack of knowledge (college administration).

After filling dozen of pages, I was fantasizing about something (man stuff) and at the same time the Man who I thoght is principal(was dressed like one),entered in class, we stared at each other eyes for some micro Seconds. Although It was not his fault to think that I was a cheater, but who cares I am writing my own version of story (He can do if he wants to). So he spoke to me directly from some distance “Kya Huaa Kharre Nahi Fase”, as my sixth sense activates in such condition… I quickly understood it was meant for me. I didn’t have anything with me that day(:}) and bonus with that I was feeling like fucked up. So I challenge him. I put my pen on desk and changed my posture from shy student to a typical Indorian dude.

He came next to me and start checking my pockets. I stopped him and shouted “I will takeout everything by myself”. The exam room came to standstill and whole attention was directed towards us.
(I think everyone was damn sure I had kharre with me, but they didn’t know)
I took out dozen of coins from my pocket and some dispersed in floor, girls started smiling they must have been thinking that this dude must be coming from Sarvate stand, But who cares for what attractive girls smiles for, it is itself an achievement to make them smile.

He didn’t found anything objectionable in my pocket but due to my posture and the way I spoke, He directed one of his assistant to check me again in Boys Common room.

I again challenged him back “I will not let anyone to check me except you.”(With a very damdaar voice). He was aghast to hear that. His posture became disappointed and helpless due to my way of speaking. He directed me to towards my seat in a low voice and I obeyed him like a good student.

P.S. – This post is seventy five percent fiction. It occurred recently with me/my friend, either you can believe.
Please do not take it as an offense especially the man who I think is the principle. :]
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.TIP to Invigilators – Beware from naughty students.

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Somewhere out there, there’s a new mistake waiting to be made.
Somewhere out there, there’s a new wish waiting to be hoped.
Somewhere out there, there’s a new effort waiting to be made.
Somewhere out there, there’s a banana peel waiting to be slipped on :p
Somewhere out there, there’s a new joke waiting to send you into fits of laughter.
And a new moment waiting to take your breath away.

So here’s hoping for a kick-ass new year. One in which we go the extra mile. In which we take more chances without the fear of falling down holding us back. Here’s hoping we make new friends, better mistakes, wonderful experiences, heartwarming moments. Here’s hoping you make someone smile and here’s hoping 2011 fills your heart with a lot of smiles. 🙂

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